Surgical stapling device and fastener for pathological exam

ABSTRACT

A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body that defines a central knife slot, rows of first staple receiving pockets on one side of the central knife slot, and a row of second staple receiving pockets on a second side of the knife slot. The first staple receiving pockets receive staples having a substantially U-shaped configuration that can be formed into a B-shape. The second staple receiving slots receive substantially Y-shaped staples which minimize damage to tissue and can be removed from the tissue more easily to allow for pathological examination of the tissue.

FIELD

This disclosure is generally related to surgical stapling devices and, more particularly, to surgical stapling devices and fasteners for removing tissue for pathological examination.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling devices for stapling tissue during a surgical procedure are well known. Such devices allow a clinician to suture tissue more quickly than traditional suturing techniques to shorten the length of the surgical procedure and minimize patient trauma. During operation of a stapling device, tissue is simultaneously cut and stapled to perform a variety of different surgical procedures. Typically, a surgical stapling device includes a central knife slot and rows of staples positioned on each side of the central knife slot.

During an oncological surgical procedure, in order classify the extent of spread of cancerous tissue, a surgeon resects tissue surrounding cancerous tissue and sends it to pathology for immediate examination. For a pathologist to examine a tissue specimen, the pathologist must remove the staples from the tissue specimen one by one, stain the specimen, and freeze the specimen. The frozen specimen is sectioned and analyzed microscopically to determine if cancer cells are present in the specimen. Typically, examination of the tissue should be done within 20 minutes of tissue removal. Most of the 20 minutes is spent removing the staples from the tissue. As such, to avoid delay, clinicians sometimes just cut the staple line from the tissue.

The staple line is closest to the cancerous tissue and defines a true margin which should be examined to determine the extent of cancer spread. When tissue is stapled with rows of staples, the tissue along the staple line is compressed by the rows of staples and may not be acceptable for analysis. A close margin for analysis is about 1 mm. In some instances, the staple line has a width of up to 5 mm. As such, it is undesirable to cut the staple line from the tissue to be examined.

A continuing need exists in the art for a surgical stapling device that includes a tool assembly that forms a staple line that minimizes damage to tissue and can be quickly removed from tissue to facilitate pathological examination.

SUMMARY

Aspects of this disclosure are directed to a staple cartridge including a cartridge body, a plurality of first staples, and a plurality of second staples. The cartridge body defines a longitudinal axis, a central knife slot, a plurality of first staple receiving slots, and a plurality of second staple receiving slots. The plurality of first staple receiving slots is aligned in rows on a first side of the central knife slot and the plurality of second staple receiving slots is aligned in a row on a second side of the central knife slot. Each of the plurality of second staple receiving slots has a Y-shaped configuration. Each first staple of the plurality of first staples is received within one of the plurality of first receiving slots. Each second staple of the plurality of second staples is received within one of the plurality of second staple receiving slots and has a Y-shaped configuration.

Other aspects of this disclosure are directed to an anvil that includes an anvil plate. The anvil plate defines a longitudinal axis and has a staple forming surface. The staple forming surface defines a central knife slot, a plurality of first staple forming pockets, and a plurality of second staple forming pockets. The plurality of first staple forming pockets is aligned in rows on a first side of the central knife slot, and the plurality of second staple forming pockets is aligned in a row on a second side of the central knife slot. Each second staple forming pocket of the plurality of second staple forming pockets is aligned in a row on a second side of the central knife slot and has a Y-shape.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a tool assembly that includes a staple cartridge and an anvil. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, a plurality of first staples, and a plurality of second staples. The cartridge body defines a longitudinal axis, a first central knife slot, a plurality of first staple receiving slots, and a plurality of second staple receiving slots. The plurality of first staple receiving slots is aligned in rows on a first side of the first central knife slot. The plurality of second staple receiving slots is aligned in a row on a second side of the first central knife slot. Each second staple receiving slot of the plurality of second staple receiving slots has a Y-shaped configuration. Each first staple of the plurality of first staples is received within one first staple receiving slot of the plurality of first receiving slots. Each second staple of the plurality of second staples is received within one second staple receiving slot of the plurality of second staple receiving slots and has a Y-shaped configuration. The anvil includes an anvil plate that defines a longitudinal axis and has a staple forming surface. The staple forming surface defines a second central knife slot, a plurality of first staple forming pockets, and a plurality of second staple forming pockets. The plurality of first staple forming pockets is aligned in rows on a first side of the second central knife slot. The plurality of second staple forming pockets is aligned in a row on a second side of the second central knife slot. Each second staple forming pocket of the plurality of second staple forming pockets is aligned in a row on a second side of the second central knife slot and has a Y-shape.

In aspects of the disclosure, each second staple of the plurality of second staples includes first, second, and third legs.

In some aspects of the disclosure, each second staple of the plurality of second staples includes a first back span that interconnects the first leg to the third leg and a second back span that interconnects the second leg to the third leg.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, each of the first, second, and third legs includes a tapered tip for piercing tissue.

In aspects of the disclosure, the staple cartridge includes a plurality of first pushers and a plurality of second pushers.

In some aspects of the disclosure, each first staple of the plurality of first staples is supported within one first staple receiving slot of the plurality of first staple receiving slots on one first pusher of the plurality of first pushers, and each second staple of the plurality of second staples is supported within one second staple receiving slot of the plurality of second staple receiving slots on one second pusher of the plurality of second pushers.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, each second pusher of the plurality of second pushers is V-shaped.

In aspects of the disclosure, the staple cartridge includes an actuation sled that is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position within the cartridge body into engagement with the plurality of first and second pushers to eject the plurality of first and second staples from the cartridge body.

In some aspects of the disclosure, each first staple receiving pocket of the plurality of first staple receiving pockets defines a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the plurality of first staple receiving pockets is aligned in three rows on the first side of the central knife slot.

In aspects of the disclosure, each first staple forming pocket of the plurality of first staple forming pockets defines a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anvil plate.

Other features of the disclosure will be appreciated from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the disclosure are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling device having a staple cartridge including fasteners according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a tool assembly of the surgical stapling device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a pusher and fastener of staple cartridge of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the fastener shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view from above of an anvil surface of an anvil member of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view from above of a tissue engaging surface of a cartridge assembly of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the fastener shown in FIG. 5 formed in tissue;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the formed fastener shown in FIG. 8 with legs of the fastener shown in phantom; and

FIG. 10 is a top view of tissue that has been cut and stapled by the stapling device shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a wedge to be examined for pathology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed surgical stapling device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that the aspects of the disclosure are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In addition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, distal, proximal, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “endoscopic” is used generally used to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any other procedure conducted through a small diameter incision or cannula. Further, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

The disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device having a tool assembly that minimizes damage to a tissue specimen that requires pathological examination. The tool assembly includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body that defines a central knife slot, rows of first staple receiving pockets on one side of the central knife slot, and a row of staple receiving pockets on a second side of the knife slot. The first staple receiving pockets receive first staples having a substantially U-shaped configuration that can be formed into a B-shape. The second staple receiving slots receive substantially second staples that are configured to be received within Y-shaped pockets. The second staples are configured to minimize damage to tissue and can be removed from the tissue more easily to allow for pathological examination of the tissue. The stapling device includes an anvil having a staple forming surface for forming the first and second staples.

FIG. 1 illustrates the disclosed surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10 which includes a handle assembly 12, an elongate body 14, and a tool assembly 100. Although not described in detail herein, the tool assembly 100 can form part of a reload assembly 16 that is releasably coupled to the elongate body 14 and includes a proximal body portion 16 a and the tool assembly 100. Alternately, the tool assembly 100 can be secured directly to a distal portion 14 a of the elongate body 14.

The elongate body 14 defines a longitudinal axis “X”. The handle assembly 12 includes a body 18 that defines a hand grip 18 a, a trigger 20 that is mounted on the body 18 and is movable towards the hand grip 18 a, and a rotation knob 22. The rotation knob 22 is rotatably supported on a distal portion of the body 18 of the handle assembly 12 and supports the elongate body 14 to facilitate rotation of the elongate body 14 and the tool assembly 100 in relation to the handle assembly 12 about the longitudinal axis “X”. The trigger 20 is manually operable to control operation of the various functions of the stapling device 10 including approximation, firing and cutting. In aspects of the disclosure, the handle assembly 12 also supports an articulation knob 28 which is operable to pivot the tool assembly 100 about a pivot member defining an axis “Z” (FIG. 1) that is transverse to the longitudinal axis “X” of the elongate body 14. Although the stapling device 10 is illustrated as a manually operated stapling device, it is envisioned that aspects of this disclosure are suitable for use with robotically controlled stapling devices and electrically powered stapling devices. U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,943 (the '943 patent) discloses a surgical stapling device including an electrically powered handle assembly and U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,139 (the '139 patent) discloses a manually actuated handle assembly. For a more detailed description of construction and operation of an exemplary handle assembly and elongate body 14 which are suitable for use with the tool assembly 100 of the stapling device 10, see, e.g., the '943 and '139 patents.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate the tool assembly 100 of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1). The tool assembly 100 includes an anvil assembly 112 and a cartridge assembly 114. The anvil assembly 112 and the cartridge assembly 114 are movable in relation to each other between an open position (FIG. 3) and a clamped position. The anvil 112 includes a base member 116 and an anvil plate 118 that is coupled to the base member 116. The anvil plate 118 has a staple forming surface 120 (FIG. 6) that defines a central knife slot 122 and a plurality of first staple forming pockets 124 a positioned on one side of the central knife slot 122 and a plurality of second staple forming pockets 124 b formed on the other side of the central knife slot 122. The staple forming pockets 124 a and 124 b are described in further detail below. For a detailed description of exemplary aspects of the anvil assembly 112, see the '139 patent.

The cartridge assembly 114 includes a cartridge channel 130 and a staple cartridge 132. The cartridge channel 130 defines a cavity 130 a (FIG. 2) that receives the staple cartridge 132. In aspects of the disclosure, the staple cartridge 132 is removable from the cartridge channel 130 to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10. Alternately, the staple cartridge 132 can be fixedly secured within the cavity 130 a of the cartridge channel 130 and the reload 16 (FIG. 1) can be removed from the elongate body 14 of the stapling device 10 to facilitate reuse of the stapling device 10.

The staple cartridge 132 includes a cartridge body 140 that defines a central knife slot 142 and a plurality of first staple receiving pockets 144 a positioned on one side of the central knife slot 142 and a plurality of second staple receiving pockets 144 b positioned on the other side of the central knife slot 142. The staple receiving pockets 144 a on the first side of the central knife slot 142 are illustrated as being aligned in three rows. However, it is envisioned that two or more rows of staple receiving pockets 144 a can be provided in the cartridge body 140. In aspects of the disclosure, the first staple receiving pockets 144 a have a linear configuration and extend in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge body 140. The staple receiving pockets 144 b on the second side of the central knife slot 142 are substantially Y-shaped (FIG. 8) and are longitudinally aligned in a single row along the length of the cartridge body 140. Each of the staple receiving pockets 144 a receives a first staple 150 and each of the staple receiving pockets 144 b receives a second staple 152.

FIG. 4A illustrates one of the first staples 150. Each of the is substantially U-shaped and is aligned with a respective first staple forming pockets 124 a formed in the staple forming surface 120 (FIG. 6) of the anvil plate 118 of the anvil assembly 112 when the tool assembly is in the clamped position. Each of the staples 150 is supported on a pusher 154 on the first side of the central knife slot 142 within the cartridge body 140 and includes a back span 156 and a leg 158 that extends from each end of the back span 156. The back span 156 is supported on a respective pusher 154 and the legs 158 extend towards the anvil assembly 112. Each of the legs 158 has a tapered end 158 a that is configured to pierce tissue. In some aspects of the disclosure, the staples 150 are formed from titanium and the legs 158 and the back span 156 line in a common plane prior to formation of the staple 150. In some aspects of the disclosure, two or more, e.g., three, pushers 154 are coupled together by a sled 159 and move as a single unit when the stapling device is fired.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate one of the second staples 152. Each of the second staples 152 is configured to be received in one of the Y-shaped staple receiving pockets 144 b and includes three legs including a first leg 160, a second leg 162, and a third leg 164. The first and third legs 160 and 164, respectively, are interconnected by a first back span 166, and the second and third legs 162 and 164, respectively, are interconnected by a second back span 168. In aspects of the disclosure, each of the three legs includes a tapered tip 160 a, 162 a, and 164 a that is configured to pierce tissue. The first and second back spans 166 and 168, respectively, of each of the second staples 152 are supported on a respective pusher 170 such that the second staples are aligned with a respective second staple forming pockets 124 b formed in the staple forming surface 120 (FIG. 6) of the anvil plate 118 of the anvil assembly 112 when the tool assembly is in the clamped position.

Each of the pushers 170 includes a substantially V-shaped body 172 and a sled 174 that supports the V-shaped body 172. The sled 174 includes a tapered cam surface 176. The V-shaped body 172 includes a substantially V-shaped support surface 180 that supports the first and second back spans 166 and 168 of a respective one of the second staples 152 such that the first, second, and third legs 160, 162, and 164 of each of the respective staples 152 projects towards the anvil assembly 112.

The staple cartridge 132 of the cartridge assembly 114 as illustrated in FIG. 3 also includes an actuation sled 180 and a cartridge cover 181. The actuation sled 180 is movable from a retracted position within the cartridge body 140 to an advanced position into engagement with the sleds 159 and 174 of the pushers 154 and 170 to sequentially eject the first and second staples 150 and 152 from the cartridge body 140 of the staple cartridge 132. The '139 patent describes the interaction between an actuation sled and pushers to eject staples from a cartridge body of a staple cartridge in further detail. The cartridge cover 181 is coupled to the bottom of the cartridge body 140 to prevent the staples and pushers from falling from the cartridge body 140 prior to insertion of the staple cartridge 132 into the channel member 130.

In aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly 16 includes a clamping member 184 that is coupled to a drive assembly (not shown) that is supported within the proximal body portion 16 a of the reload assembly 16 (or the elongate body 14 if a reload is not provided). The clamping member 184 is movable through the cartridge body 140 from a retracted position to an advanced position to advance the actuation sled 180 from its retracted position to its advanced position to eject the staples 150 and 152 from the cartridge body 140. In aspects of the disclosure, the clamping member 184 includes a first beam 186, a second beam 188, and a central strut 190 that interconnects the first beam 186 and the second beam 188. The first beam 186 is engaged with the anvil assembly 112 and the second beam 188 is engaged with the cartridge assembly 114 such that movement of the clamping member 184 from its retracted position to its advanced position not only advances the actuation sled 180 within the cartridge body 140 but moves the tool assembly 100 from the open position to the clamped position. In aspects of the disclosure, the central strut 190 supports a knife blade 192 that is movable through the central knife slots 122 and 142 in the anvil plate 118 of the anvil assembly 112 and in the cartridge body 140 of the cartridge assembly 114 to cut tissue clamped between the anvil assembly 112 and the cartridge assembly 114.

FIG. 6 illustrates the staple forming surface 120 of the anvil plate 118 of the anvil assembly 112 including the plurality of first and second staple forming pockets 124 a and 124 b (FIG. 6) that are positioned on opposite sides of the central knife slot 122. The staple forming pockets 124 a are aligned in rows on a first side of the central knife slot 122 and are positioned to receive the staples 150. The staple forming pockets 124 a are longitudinally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the anvil assembly 112 and are positioned to receive the legs 158 of the staples 150 and form the each of the staples 150 into a substantially B-shape. Although three rows of staple forming pockets 124 a are illustrated on the first side of the central knife slot 122, it is envisioned that two or more rows of staple forming pockets 124 a can be provided. When the tool assembly 100 is in the clamped position, each of the staple forming pockets 124 a is in juxtaposed alignment with one of the staple receiving pockets 144 a (FIG. 7) of the cartridge body 140 of the staple cartridge 132.

As summarized above, the staple forming pockets 124 b defined by the staple forming surface 120 of the anvil assembly 112 are positioned on a second side of the central knife slot 122 to receive the staples 152 (FIG. 4) supported within the cartridge body 140 of the staple cartridge 132. The staple deforming pockets 124 b are longitudinally aligned along the second side of the central knife slot 122 and are Y-shaped to receive the legs 160, 162, and 164 of the staples 152 when the staples are ejected from the cartridge body 140. When the tool assembly 100 is in the clamped position, each of the staple forming pockets 124 b is in juxtaposed alignment with one of the staple receiving pockets 144 b (FIG. 7) of the cartridge body 140 of the staple cartridge 132.

When the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is fired, the clamping member 184 (FIG. 2) is advanced through the anvil assembly 112 and the cartridge assembly 114 to initially move the tool assembly 100 (FIG. 3) from the open position to the clamped position and to subsequently advance the actuation sled 180 through the cartridge body 140 of the staple cartridge 132. See FIG. 3. As the actuation sled 180 advances through the cartridge body 140, the actuation sled engages the pushers 154 and 170 to sequentially eject the rows of first staples 150 and row of second staples 152 from the cartridge body 140 into the first and second staple receiving pockets 144 a and 144 b, respectively. As the first staples 150 exit the first staple receiving pockets 144 a, the first staples 150 are sequentially received within and formed by the first staple forming pockets 124 a and are formed into a substantially B-shaped configuration such that three lines of staples 150 are formed in the tissue “T”. Similarly, as the staples 152 exit the second staple receiving pockets 144 b, the second staples 152 are sequentially received within and formed by the second staple forming pockets 124 b. The knife 192 (FIG. 2) of the clamping member 184 moves through the knife slots 122 and 142 of the anvil and cartridge assemblies 112 and 114 to cut tissue that is clamped between the anvil and cartridge assemblies 112 and 114.

FIG. 8 illustrates one of the second staple forming pockets 124 b. Each of the second staple forming pockets 124 b defines a substantially Y-shaped channel 200 that includes a first channel portion 202 that receives the first leg 160 of a staple 152, a second channel portion 204 that receives the second leg 162 of the staple 152, and a third channel portion 206 that receives the third leg 164 of the staple 152. The first and second channel portions 202 and 204 of the second staple forming pocket are configured to form the first and second legs 160 and 162 of the first staple 152 over a curved path towards the third leg 164 of the staple 152. The third channel portion 206 of the second staple forming pocket 124 b is configured to form the third leg 164 of the second staple 152 over a curved path towards the first and second legs 160 and 162 of the second staples 152.

FIG. 9 illustrates one of the staples 152 in a formed state in tissue “T”. As illustrated, tissue “T” is captured between the first, second, and third legs 160, 162, and 164 of the second staple 152 and the back spans 166 and 168 of the second staples 152. The first and second legs 160 and 162 of the second staple 152 are curved upwardly towards the third leg 164, and the third leg 164 of the second staple 152 is positioned between and curved downwardly towards the first and second legs 160 and 162.

FIG. 10 illustrates a tissue specimen “SP” that has been resected from a body organ, e.g., the lung “L”, during a surgical oncological procedure. As illustrated, during such a procedure, the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1) is positioned such that the second staples 152 are positioned on the tissue specimen “TS” side and the rows of staples 150 are positioned on the side of the body organ. The plurality of rows of first staples 150 provide effective hemostasis on the body organ “L” to minimize leakage and reduce risk of infection. The row of second staples 152 in the tissue specimen “TS” minimize damage to the tissue specimen “TS” and allow for quicker removal from the tissue specimen “TS” to facilitate pathological examination in an fast and efficient manner.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary aspects of the disclosure. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A staple cartridge comprising: a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, a central knife slot, a plurality of first staple receiving pockets, and a plurality of second staple receiving pockets, the plurality of first staple receiving pockets aligned in rows on a first side of the central knife slot, each of the plurality of first staple receiving pockets having a linear configuration and defining axes that extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body, the plurality of second staple receiving pockets aligned in a single row on a second side of the central knife slot, each of the plurality of second staple receiving pockets having a Y-shaped configuration, the Y-shaped configuration having a longitudinally extending pocket portion and spaced diverging linear pocket portions that extend from and continuously diverge from one end of the longitudinally extending portion; a plurality of first staples, each first staple of the plurality of first staples received within one of the plurality of first staple receiving pockets; and a plurality of second staples, each second staple of the plurality of second staples received within one of the plurality of second staple receiving pockets.
 2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein each second staple of the plurality of second staples includes first, second, and third legs.
 3. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein each second staple of the plurality of second staples includes a first back span that interconnects the first leg to the third leg and a second back span that interconnects the second leg to the third leg.
 4. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, and third legs includes a tapered tip for piercing tissue.
 5. The staple cartridge of claim 4, further including a plurality of first pushers and a plurality of second pushers, each first staple of the plurality of first staples being supported within one first staple receiving pocket of the plurality of first staple receiving pocket on one first pusher of the plurality of first pushers and each second staple of the plurality of second staples being supported within one second staple receiving pocket of the plurality of second staple receiving pockets on one second pusher of the plurality of second pushers.
 6. The staple cartridge of claim 5, wherein each second pusher of the plurality of second pushers is V-shaped.
 7. The staple cartridge of claim 6, further including an actuation sled, the actuation sled movable from a retracted position to an advanced position within the cartridge body into engagement with the plurality of first and second pushers to eject the plurality of first and second staples from the cartridge body.
 8. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein each first staple receiving pocket of the plurality of first staple receiving pockets defines a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body.
 9. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first staple receiving pockets is aligned in three rows on the first side of the central knife slot.
 10. An anvil comprising: an anvil plate defining a longitudinal axis and having a staple forming surface, the staple forming surface defining a central knife slot, a plurality of first staple forming pockets, and a plurality of second staple forming pockets, the plurality of first staple forming pockets aligned in a plurality of rows on a first side of the central knife slot, and the plurality of second staple forming pockets aligned in a single row on a second side of the central knife slot, each second staple forming pocket of the plurality of second staple forming having a Y-shape, each of the plurality of Y-shaped second staple forming pockets having a longitudinally extending forming channel and spaced diverging forming channels that extend from one end of the longitudinally extending forming channel.
 11. The anvil of claim 10, wherein each first staple forming pocket of the plurality of first staple forming pockets defining a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anvil plate.
 12. A tool assembly comprising: a staple cartridge including: a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, a first central knife slot, a plurality of first staple receiving pockets, and a plurality of second staple receiving pockets, each of the plurality of first staple receiving pockets having a linear configuration and defining axes that extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body, the plurality of first staple receiving pockets aligned in rows on a first side of the first central knife slot, the plurality of second staple receiving pockets aligned in a single row on a second side of the first central knife slot, each of the plurality of second staple receiving pockets having a Y-shaped configuration, the Y-shaped configuration having a longitudinally extending pocket portion and spaced diverging linear pocket portions that extend from and continuously diverge from one end of the longitudinally extending portion; a plurality of first staples, each first staple of the plurality of first staples received within one of the plurality of first staple receiving pockets; and a plurality of second staples, each second staple of the plurality of second staples received within one of the plurality of second staple receiving pockets; and an anvil including an anvil plate defining a longitudinal axis and having a staple forming surface, the staple forming surface defining a second central knife slot, a plurality of first staple forming pockets, and a plurality of second staple forming pockets, the plurality of first staple forming pockets aligned in rows on a first side of the second central knife slot, and the plurality of second staple forming pockets aligned in a row on a second side of the second central knife slot, each second staple forming pocket of the plurality of second staple forming pockets being aligned in a row on a second side of the second central knife slot and having a Y-shape, each of the plurality of Y-shaped second staple forming pockets having a longitudinally extending forming channel and spaced diverging forming channels that extend from one end of the longitudinally extending forming channel.
 13. The tool assembly of claim 12, wherein each second staple of the plurality of second staples includes first, second, and third legs.
 14. The tool assembly of claim 13, wherein each second staple of the plurality of second staples includes a first back span that interconnects the first leg to the third leg and a second back span that interconnects the second leg to the third leg.
 15. The tool assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the first, second, and third legs includes a tapered tip for piercing tissue.
 16. The tool assembly of claim 15, wherein the staple cartridge further includes a plurality of first pushers and a plurality of second pushers, each first staple of the plurality of first staples being supported within one first staple receiving pocket of the plurality of first staple receiving pockets on one first pusher of the plurality of first pushers and each second staple of the plurality of second staples being supported within one second staple receiving pocket of the plurality of second staple receiving pockets on one second pusher of the plurality of second pushers.
 17. The tool assembly of claim 16, wherein each second pusher of the plurality of second pushers is V-shaped.
 18. The tool assembly of claim 17, wherein the staple cartridge further includes an actuation sled, the actuation sled movable from a retracted position to an advanced position within the cartridge body into engagement with the plurality of first and second pushers to eject the plurality of first and second staples from the cartridge body.
 19. The tool assembly of claim 12, wherein each first staple receiving pocket of the plurality of first staple receiving pockets defines a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge body.
 20. The tool assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of first staple receiving pockets are aligned in three rows on the first side of the first central knife slot. 